Interpretive Research Study Research Articles

Including learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Voices of mainstream teachers

The global shift toward inclusive education is in pursuit of creating a more equal and just society. This has lead schools worldwide to experience an increase in the number of learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) entering the general classroom. At the first level of contact, teachers play an important role in the implementation of inclusive education; it is therefore crucial to acknowledge their experiences. Their voices need to be heard since their experiences can contribute to doing justice to the existing policies on inclusive education. In search of teachers' subjective experiences, we framed this interpretive qualitative phenomenological research study in a social constructivist paradigm. Participants were purposefully selected from an international school in Cape Town, South Africa. We collected data through an online open-ended questionnaire, followed by an in-person focus group discussion at the school. The findings indicated that while teachers are in favour of inclusion, they experience many challenges that result in a policy-implementation gap.

How Do Health Visitors and Parents Interact in the UK Child Health Clinics around Infant Weight in the Context of Overweight and Obesity: An Interpretative Research Study

Background. In 2020, figures estimated that 39 million preschool children worldwide, experienced overweight or obesity. Global prevalence has almost tripled in the last 40–50 years. The number of preschool children impacted makes it severe enough to be one of the most serious public health challenges for the 21st century, which could be addressed during infancy, for improved short‐ and long‐term health outcomes. Objective. Research in a local Trust providing health visiting services in the northeast of England aimed to describe and interpret the interaction between UK parents and health visitors around infant weight (0–2) in delivering the UK Healthy Child Programme. Methods. The research paradigm was social construction, and interpretative phenomenology enabled the interpretation of experiences of self and everyday situational encounters or participants lived experiences. The research applied theoretical perspectives of hermeneutic phenomenology and symbolic interactionism. Purposive sampling recruited 14 parents and 20 health visitors, and 4 focus groups and 8 semistructured interviews were completed. Data analysis was thematic. Findings. Interaction between health visitors and parents around infant weight was complex. Assumptions were made, and the interaction was open to misinterpretation. This impacted the integrity of the conversation. Managing infant weight was superseded by other public health needs of parents. There was no obvious approach to assessment of infant weight that might be exceeding normal growth centiles, whole family approaches, or risk assessment. Infant weight remained an emotive subject for parents and health visitors, and this governed how it was addressed. Conclusion. While existing research has emphasised that infant weight is a sensitive issue to raise with parents, this research is unique, providing detailed implications for UK health visitors and recommendations for future management of infant weight within the UK Healthy Child Programme. Findings are transferrable to other public health professionals communicating with infants and parents in the management of infant weight.

Exploring the Relationship between Critical Thinking and Shona Culture during Teaching and Learning of Young Learners 3-8 Year Olds.

This paper seeks to explore the relationship between critical thinking in young learners and culture. The paper reports on some of the findings of a larger study. The participants were (25) teachers of the (3-8) year olds in five Zimbabwean primary schools and the learners they were teaching approximately (1000) learners. This qualitative interpretive research study was framed within the ambits of social constructivism. Data for this paper was done through video recording teachers teaching Mathematics, interviewing the teachers and observation of learners in the (3-8) year age range engaged in mathematical activities. Interpretation of data from interviews and observations was done through linking related issues or identifying similarities in the responses given by the twenty-five teachers or observed from their teaching or learner activities. Excerpts drawn from responses or observations made are presented verbatim under the different themes that emerged from the issues raised. Findings of this research study indicated that the development of critical thinking in young learners during teaching and learning is greatly influenced by their cultural backgrounds.

Activity Theory Approach and Geographic Information Systems Affordance for Effective Land Management and Administration Actualization

This research explores the challenges and drivers of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) affordance actualization within the Ministry of Land and Survey, Yola, Nigeria. The problem at hand is the underutilization of GIS technology in many public organizations, often resulting in failed projects and misfit due to cultural inclinations. To address this issue, Activity Theory was employed as a theoretical framework, innovatively applying it to the interpretation of human-technology interactions within a public sector setting. An in-depth interpretive research study at the Ministry of Land and Survey (MLS) was conducted, focusing on the sub-unit triangular and subject-cascaded models guided by integrated nested Activity Theory. The research reveals novel insights into the application of GIS in public organizations. The findings underscore the critical role of factors such as funding, legitimization, technology (tools), user cognition, geo-visualization, spatial infrastructure, and outcomes in facilitating GIS affordance actualization. These elements have been redefined within the context of land administration in public organizations. The research introduces two new theoretical constructs, "Spatial Data Infrastructure" and "Geo-visualization," further extending the integrated Activity Theory constructs. The importance of this study lies in its potential to inform GIS professionals, developers, and policymakers. The newly developed mid-level theoretical model, Spatial Information Affording Approach (SISAA) offers a comprehensive framework for designing effective GIS systems that streamline land transactions, enhance revenue generation, reduce land disputes, and bolster the overall integrity of land administration in public sectors. This research contributes not only to the Nigerian context but also holds relevance for public organizations worldwide that use GIS in land management. In conclusion, this study bridges a significant gap in the current body of knowledge by providing a spatially enabled theoretical framework for GIS applications in culturally organized public organizations. It has the potential to drive improvements in land administration and promote the successful implementation of GIS in the public sector, aligning with global agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Providing a voice to the experience of bereavement support at Mexican workplaces

Literature on grief in the workplace is mainly represented in the last three decades and is predominantly western focused. An interpretative phenomenological research study was conducted using criterion sampling to recruit nine participants working full time in Mexican organizations who had a death loss of a close family member in 2018, 2019, 2020, or the first six months of 2021. Participants were interviewed to explore the types of practices offered from their workplace and the implications of those practices, and the felt experience as they made meaning through narrative and visual representation. Results revealed inconsistencies in organizations related to bereavement practices, such as organizations inconsistent communication of bereavement, providing time off, providing flexible bereavement support, and providing financial support for employees exists in the Mexican workplace. The implications of such practices were those of lack of organizational compassion, and insufficient flexibility around work expectations, financial support, and psychological support.

ADOPT DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES OR SHIP OUT OF BUSINESS: COVID-19 EXPERIENCES OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTREPRENEURS IN THE BULAWAYO METROPOLITAN PROVINCE, ZIMBABWE

This interpretive research study sought to ascertain the technological challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The thrust of the study was qualitative and semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 30 purposively selected SME owners. Through thematic analysis, the findings revealed that SMEs without technological gadgets faced an array of challenges such as poor communication with business partners, inability to view business transactions, delay in making payments, high operational costs, difficulty in advertising products, and failure to place orders on time. From the research, it was concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the digital divide amongst SMEs, as those without the technological gadgets and the requisite skills were either forced to close or had minimal business transactions. The study recommended that deliberate policies be put in place to equip SME owners with technological gadgets and internet facilities at subsidised rates and offer free training to prepare SMEs for the digital world.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0208/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Work station learning activities (WSLA) through the ICAP framework: a qualitative study

BackgroundEngaging, student-centered active learning activities, such as team-based learning (TBL) and laboratory practices, is beneficial to integrate knowledge, particularly in Medicine degree. Previously, we designed and implemented workstation learning activities (WSLA) inspired by TBL, which proved effective for learning requiring higher-order thinking skills. We now hypothesize that WSLA may also have the potential to be framed into a theoretical model that stratifies learning into interactive, constructive, active and passive modes (ICAP hypothesis).MethodsAn interpretive qualitative research study was conducted to evaluate this idea. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with students enrolled in health science programs after WSLA sessions, consisting of a series of activities accompanying a traditional lecture. Interviews were analyzed according to a deductive approach. Theoretical themes and subthemes driving the analysis were organized around the ICAP modes: passive, active, constructive, and interactive. An inductive approach was applied to provide additional insights.ResultsStudents valued preparatory lectures as well as corresponding WSLA activities as highly motivating, especially for the ability to integrate concepts. Although previous research shows that not all activities require high levels of cognitive engagement, students appreciated the opportunity the WSLA provided to discuss and clarify concepts as a group. Furthermore, feedback from professors and peers was highly appreciated, and helped students to construct new knowledge.ConclusionIn this work, by focusing in understanding the student’s experience, we have evaluated for the first time the WSLA approach in relation to the ICAP model. We found that not only the activity type determines the learning mode, but also the environment accompanying WSLA is a determining factor. Our findings can guide future development of the WSLA approach, which represents an interactive learning methodology with strong potential within the ICAP framework.Trial registrationNot applicable.

Adult learning facilitators in any setting, instructional designers’ roles as the adult learner and educator, and their perceived knowledge construction when preparing graduate faculty for teaching online: An interpretive study

Adult learning facilitators in any setting (ALFAS) seek to facilitate learning that is lifelong and meaningful. The purpose of this interpretive research study was to explore how instructional designers (IDs) construct knowledge when preparing graduate faculty to develop and teach courses online. The study involved five IDs and their perceptions of their knowledge construction when collaborating with graduate faculty to transition their courses to online instruction. The four main themes that emerged from the data were learning community or community of practice, individual experiences as adult educators, individual experiences as adult learners, and challenges to the learning process. These themes broaden the understanding of IDs’ perceived knowledge construction within a constructivist framework, an area that can inform adult educators and workplace learning as online instruction continues to gain much momentum.

Exploring educators’ and support staffs’ experiences regarding crises containment management in South African schools

This qualitative interpretive description research study aimed to explore, interpret, and describe educators’ and support staffs’ experiences regarding the management of crises in their schools in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Informant educators (n = 7) and support staff (n = 1) from four schools (public, rural, and private) completed semi-structured interviews on their experiences. Following thematic analysis, findings revealed crisis-oriented themes regarding current policies within schools, certain crises experiences, languishing, management of these crises, and COVID-19 mitigation. Current policies needed improvement to ensure the physical, psychological, and emotional safety of school members which will in turn influence their well-being. These findings suggest a need for educators, support staff, and school learners to be trained within in-school crisis management practices to prevent avoidable trauma.

Muslim Educators’ Pedagogies: Tools for Self, Social, and Spiritual Transformation

In this interpretive research study, Claire Alkouatli inquires into the pedagogical activities Sunni Muslim educators employ in sites of Islamic education that are often marginalized by stereotypes, misperceptions, and charges of anachronism and indoctrination. She invited thirty-five Muslim Canadian educators to share their perspectives on their pedagogies around teaching Islam to children and youth. Her thematic analysis of participants’ variegated descriptions coalesced into a three-theme pedagogical typology. Distinct from mainstream secular pedagogies at the levels of ontology, epistemology, and developmental psychology, Islamic pedagogies are situated within a wider conceptual paradigm. Recognizing their qualities of holism and “double cultural relevance,” they are functionally significant in teachers’ repertoires for helping young Muslims think across paradigms and may contribute to both sociocultural continuity and more equal inter-epistemic interaction in heterogeneous societies.

Experience of Western Herbal Medicine practitioners in supporting brain health in mid-life and older patients: A qualitative research study

AimsDementia has been identified as a public health and social- care priority, raising the necessity for multi-domain preventative healthcare strategies for at-risk populations. Western herbal medicine(WHM) has a role to play in strategies supporting healthy brain ageing.The aim of this qualitative, interpretative research study was to explore the experience of Western Herbal Medicine (WHM) practitioners addressing cognitive and vascular brain health in mid-life and older patients, using semi-structured interviews. MethodThree participants were recruited using purposive sampling and a set of inclusion criteria. In-depth interviews facilitated by a topic guide were used to explore their herbal and therapeutic management approach; and gauge their views on the role of WHM in multi-domain management of brain health in the assay group. Interviews were audio recorded and then transcribed verbatim; thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. ResultsFour themes emerged from the practitioners' narratives of their experience of working with the assay group: the types of conditions their patients presented with; their therapeutic approach to the herbal dietary and lifestyle management of those presentations; the issues of working with the target patient group; and the potential role for WHM in managing brain health in an aging population. ConclusionsThe small exploratory study is the first of its kind attempting to capture the real-life application of WHM in supporting cognitive and vascular brain health in mid-life and older patients.Limitations of the study have been identified.

Children’s Social Representations of English Teaching and Learning: A Study in Medellín, Colombia

This article reports the findings of a qualitative interpretive research study that explored the social representations children have about the teaching and learning of English as a foreign language in elementary schools in Medellín, Colombia. Sixty children in first, third, and fifth grades of public and private schools participated in the study. Techniques such as drawings, pretend play, conversations, and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Three analogies summarize children’s perceptions in this study: learning as “echo,” teaching as a power instrument, and English as a tool to “survive” or to “live and interact with others.” Finally, a reflection and some implications for the teaching of English to children are presented.

Students’ Experiences Conducting Telehealth Counseling During a Pandemic

In this article, the results of an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis qualitative research study are presented. This study explored the experiences of counselors-in-training learning how to conduct telehealth counseling during their practicum experience. Telehealth counseling was implemented for training due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Results highlighted the five superordinate themes of participants: (1) importance of relationships, (2) emotional awareness; (3) counselor development; (4) belief in counseling; and (5) skill acquisition. Participant quotes are included to convey the essence of their experiences. Following the presentation of results, a discussion with implications and the need for future research is presented.

SOCIAL INTERACTION OF WOMEN EXPOSED TO HIV/AIDS: A REPRESENTATIVE MODEL

ABSTRACT Objective: to present the representative model of the social interaction of women exposed to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and AIDS based on the meanings attributed by them. Method: an interpretative and qualitative research study carried out in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2017 to 2018, through semi-structured interviews with 17 women who made up four sample groups, in the period between June 2017 and January 2018. The framework for data analysis is the Grounded Theory and Symbolic Interactionism, and the study was ethically approved as required by the National Health Council. Results: for women, the representative model of the social interaction process of exposure to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and AIDS means “not protecting themselves” and “not being protected by the other”. It is seen as a sloppy, irresponsible and reckless act. The women know the measures to prevent exposure; however, they do not use condoms and acknowledge that they are both exposed and exposing others simultaneously. The central category entitled “Neglecting one's own life although being aware of exposure to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and AIDS” stands out. Conclusion: understanding this social interaction can contribute to the apprehension of the main factors that influence the construction of these meanings by women, thus helping them to give a new meaning to this exposure and allowing them to modify their actions to protect themselves and others against AIDS. Consequently, effective assistance based on preservation of life is encouraged, with a view to comprehensive care to women and reducing their exposure to infection.

Discursive, Communal, and Individual Coping Strategies: How U.S. Adults Co-constructed Coping During Preliminary COVID-19 Stressors

ABSTRACT This interpretive research study explores U.S. adults’ lived experiences during the beginning months of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Participants (N= 44), recruited from a convenience sample of U.S. adults, engaged in in-depth semi-structured interviews or focus groups. Through an iterative analysis of participants’ experiences and the theoretical model of communal coping (TMCC), the authors identified three convergent stressors (i.e., isolation, uncertainty, conflict) and several coping strategies related to participants’ stressor appraisal (i.e., individual or joint) and action orientation (i.e., individual or joint). Based on these findings, this study offers the novel theoretical concept of Discursive coping and proposes a model for how this perspective might be integrated with current theorizing about individual and communal coping. Implications for communal coping and discursive theory are discussed as well as practical recommendations for public health messaging.

An Actor–Network Approach to Developing a Life Cycle BIM Maturity Model (LCBMM)

Building information modelling (BIM) has considerable potential for addressing sustainability issues in construction, but its benefits can be constrained by the failure to adopt BIM across the full project life cycle. Systematic whole-of-life BIM adoption can be supported by maturity models, but most models are limited by a lack of theoretical grounding, socio-technical dichotomies and the failure to adequately consider the full asset life cycle, often by overlooking the operations phase. This study aims to (1) develop a BIM maturity model that addresses these limitations by (2) using an in-depth analysis of an early adopter case study, thus addressing the lack of empirical research in BIM adoption experiences. A single interpretive research study was conducted to qualitatively analyse a US-based university. The data were gathered through interviews, field visits and document analysis. Actor–network theory (ANT) concepts scaffolded the analytical approach. The findings show that a complex BIM socio-technical network emerged, developed and converged during the project management stage but struggled to achieve durability as an ongoing solution to facilities management. By analysing the elements of success and failure across each stage, the researchers distilled five key lessons to achieve whole-of-life BIM maturity and proposed a life cycle BIM maturity model (LCBMM) supported by a practice guide.

Themes and methodological issues in Court Interpreting research

The field of Legal Interpreting encompasses a wide variety of contexts including police interviews and interrogations, lawyer-client conferences, tribunal and court hearings and trials. Most of the research carried out in the field to date has concentrated on the discourse of the courtroom in Common Law countries (Berk-Seligson 1988, 1990, 1999; Hale 1997b, 1999, 2004; Mason & Stewart 2001; Pym, 1999; Rigney 1997). This is partly due to the availability of the data, as most courtrooms are open to the public, but also due to the vast amount of research conducted into the language of the courtroom, which has served as a theoretical basis for the study of court interpreting. These studies draw on discourse analysis, the ethnography of language, pragmatics, experimental psychology and forensic linguistics to inform their methods. Other research into legal interpreting has looked at other , non-linguistic aspects of the practice, such as role perceptions and expectations, using social science methods of surveys, interviews and focus groups (Fowler 1997; Kelly 2000; Hale & Luzardo 1997; Angelelli 2004). Fewer studies have concentrated on the other aspects of legal interpreting, such as police interpreting (Krouglov 1999; Berk-Seligson 2000; Russell 2004; Wadensjš 1997) and tribunal hearings (Wadensjš 1992; Mason & Stewart 2001; Barsky 1996). With the exception of a limited number of experimental studies (Berk-Seligson 1990 and Hale 2004) most legal interpreting research studies have been descriptive, qualitative and speculative, providing useful information on the current state of affairs but little on the impact such practices have on the legal process. This contribution will concentrate only on court interpreting research. It will review the major research projects to date, highlight their strengths and weaknesses, identify the gaps that exist in our knowledge of the field andproposefurther research studies tofill such gaps.

Developing a "dry lab" activity using lower body negative pressure to teach physiology.

In this paper we assessed how lower body negative pressure (LBNP) can be used to teach students the physiological effects of central hypovolemia in the absence of the LBNP and/or a medical monitor using a "dry lab" activity using LBNP data that have been previously collected. This activity was performed using published LBNP papers, with which students could explore LBNP as an important tool to study physiological responses to central hypovolemia as well as consider issues in performing an LBNP experiment and interpreting experimental results. The activity was performed at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, with 31 graduate students and 4 teachers of physiology. Both students and teachers were provided with a set of questionnaires that inquired about aspects related to the structure of the activity and how this activity integrated research and knowledge, as well as aspects related to motivation of the students and teachers to perform the activity. Our results from student and teacher surveys suggest that a "dry lab" activity using LBNP to teach physiology can be an important tool to expose students to the basics of systems physiology as well as to provide useful insights into how research is performed. Providing insight into research includes formulating a research question and then designing (including taking into account confounding variables), implementing, conducting, and interpreting research studies. Finally, developing such an activity using LBNP can also serve as a basis for developing research capacities and interests of students even early in their medical studies.

I can't believe they are dead. Death and mourning in the absence of goodbyes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths during the COVID‐19 pandemic and the subsequent mourning process transpired in completely atypical conditions. This study analyses the experience of losing a loved one without traditional, culture‐specific rituals for saying goodbye, explores the different factors affecting the onset of mourning by family members and studies the existence of complicating risk factors associated with grief from this distinct type of loss. A qualitative, phenomenological and interpretive research study was undertaken through in‐depth interviews of 48 informants, key and general, in the autonomous Community of Madrid. The interviews were conducted between July and November of 2020 and were followed by an interpretive categorical qualitative analysis. The principal results include (a) the finding that deaths caused by the pandemic are, due to their characteristics, a complicating factor for bereavement, (b) evidence that the professionals who supported these deaths with a holistic approach, facilitating the process for the family members, have been a determining factor in enabling the beginning of the mourning process and reducing anguish for the family members and (c) the conclusion that a need exists for a resignification of the funeral rite. Finally, before future crises, it is recommended that access protocols be developed for relatives, including methods that permit them to say goodbye to their loved ones, no matter the situation.

Psycho-emotional disability in the marketplace

Purpose Through adoption of the psycho-emotional model of disability, this study aims to offer consumer research insight into how the marketplace internally oppresses and psycho-emotionally disables consumers living with impairment. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws insight from the interview data of a wider two-year interpretive research study investigating access barriers to marketplaces for consumers living with impairment. Findings The overarching contribution offers to consumer research insight into how the marketplace internally oppresses and psycho-emotionally disables consumers living with impairment. Further contributions offered by this paper: unearth the emotion of fear to be central to manifestations of psycho-emotional disability; reveal a broader understanding of the marketplace practices, and core perpetrators, that psycho-emotionally disable consumers living with impairment; and uncover psycho-emotional disability to extend beyond the context of impairment. Research limitations/implications This study adopts a UK-only perspective. However, findings uncovered that the model of psycho-emotional disability has wider theoretical value to marketing and consumer research beyond the context of impairment. Practical implications The insight offered into the precise marketplace practices that disable consumers living with impairment leads this paper to call for a revising of disability training within marketplace and service contexts. Originality/value Extending current consumer research and consumer vulnerability research on disability, the empirical adoption of the psycho-emotional model of disability is a fruitful framework for extrapolating insight into marketplace practices that internally oppress and psycho-emotionally disable consumers living with impairment.